Imo Police Probe HURIWA’s Allegations of Extortion, Misconduct

Tony Icheku in Owerri

The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command,  Aboki Danjuma, has set up an investigating team, comprising officers of  his monitoring unit and other disciplinary units to  investigate  allegations of extortion and sundry professional misconduct levelled against them.

The police promised to ensure that any officer found wanting is severely sanctioned in accordance with the force’s extant laws.
In a press statement , the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Henry Okoye affirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring that its officers and men uphold the highest standard of professionalism, respect for   rule of law, and aversion to  corrupt practices while discharging their lawful duties.

The CP, while reacting to the allegations, urged the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) lee by Mr. Emmanuel Onwubiko, to assist the team with detailed information that will assist in carrying out a comprehensive investigation.
He further mandated Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Tactical Team Commanders, and Traffic Officers to continuously embark on strict supervision of their subordinates and clamp down on extortion and all forms of corruption.

” The CP assertively stated that it is illegal and unprofessional for any police officer to demand money from a citizen before lodging his complaint, responding to distress calls, or releasing a suspect on bail.

“He warned that supervisory officers who fail to fulfil their duty of oversight will also face appropriate sanctions,” the statement stated.
HURIWA had called out the  Imo state police command over what it described as brazen professional misconduct and human rights abuses ranging from widespread extortion, arbitrary arrests, detention, and extrajudicial execution by the police.

Onwubiko, HURIWA boss who was in Owerri, Imo State capital on a visit , alleged that  police officers now charge between N40,000 to N100, 000 before they can respond to distress calls from residents.

He further alleged that the Yuletide season which witnessed influx of visitors to the South-east provided a goldmine to  police officers who patrol in police operational vehicles harassing young men driving exotic cars.